To Lena From Laura

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Annieoakley

“Dear Sister. Mar 20 – I tried to talk to Ellen yesterday a.m.[?] at Ted’s and she said Alice was there. Well I’ll try to get home Sat. morning. (Will if the roads are so that I can get to Arapahoe – Roads are awful. Mail has only come two or three times in ten days. don’t know whether it will come to-day or not. We are going to John’s this morning. All are well. So long – Laura”

Addressed to: “Lena Davis, Almena Kans. Route 3 Box 86.”

Another winter scene and with the heading “Many Happy Returns.” And though many old postcards like this one might be judged as not very high quality, still the colors and the composition are nice, especially if you enlarge it to take a closer look.

Divided back, embossed, used postcard. Postmarked March 21, 1912, location unknown.

Price: $3.00

May You Always Know

Posted on November 29, 2015 by Annieoakley

“May you always know the

enjoyment of happiness

that comes from true friends.”

Another from The Lena Davis Collection. By publisher E. Nash and showing a framed winter scene of a river with a red bridge and red house further in the background. The sender wrote:

“Long Island. Dec. 11. Dear Cousin, We got home o.k. about six. We picked up Newt Miller in Almena and took him to the Island he said he had been to the burg. We picked up Babe at Hays and drove her the rest of the way home. We had lots of fun.”

Sent to: “Miss Lena Davis, Almena, Kan.”

Almena is about ten miles southwest of Long Island, and there’s a Hays, Kansas about 100 miles south of Long Island. Wonder how long it would have taken them in 1913. It sounds like it was just a day trip, but on the other hand perhaps Hays is a person. It’s interesting that Long Island is referred to as “the Island.”

See another in the Lena Davis Collection with the same design but different message.

Divided back, embossed, used postcard. Postmarked December 11, 1913 from Long Island, Kansas. Publisher: E. Nash. Number or Series: G-16.

Price: $3.00

Brace’s Rock, Cape Ann, Mass.

Posted on November 28, 2015 by Annieoakley

Initially, four postcards were found that were addressed to Ida L. Vance; since then we ran across a fifth. This is just the third one getting up on the website, and though it was postmarked in May, it reminds me of chilly November weather (in keeping with a fall-going-into-winter theme.) It’s a view in shades of black and grey on a cream-colored background, of Cape Ann with the lighter-colored rock formation being Brace’s Rock.

See this Wiki article regarding American artist Fitz Henry Lane (1804 – 1865) for another view: the artist’s painting, Brace’s Rock, Eastern Point, Gloucester (circa 1864).

But from browsing through historical newspapers, what is striking, is the sense of forgotten history, but also of the contrast between today and “yesterday” when the East Coast waters seemed to be full of schooners, steamers, whalers, and newspapers and journals were full of reports on the same. Stepping back a little further in time (just through the fog…)

Storms and wrecks

From a December 1859 article in American Traveler, regarding the wreck of the schooner Prudence Nickerson, who’s crew (or captain or both) mistook another ship’s light for that of (presumably) a lighthouse: “The light proved to be that of the steamer M. Sanford, lying at anchor between Ten Pound Island and the Point, and was seen over the low land at Brace’s Cove. The Prudence ran a short time when she struck on the eastern end of Brace’s Rock, and went to pieces in about two hours. The captain and crew succeeded in getting on the rock by means of the main bottom, although one of them was nearly washed off in the attempt. They saved nothing but what they had on and remained on the rock till daylight, when they waded ashore.”

From the Shipping News, Vol. VI, Issue 314, an article that had appeared in the Salem Gazette, regarding a violent storm in October of 1792, “Capt. Samuel Ingersoll, of Beverly, homeward bound from Port-au Prince, ran upon rocks at Brace Cove, and lost all but the people’s lives.”

On a lighter note

Regarding the steamer Reindeer’s pleasure excursion in July of 1865 reported in the Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph:

“Leaving Fort Wharf at half past twelve, the steamer soon passed around Eastern Point and turned her head to the eastward. To those who had not sailed in that direction before, it was pleasing to note the different points of local interest that had been visited time and again from the land. Brace’s Rock and Cove, Pebble Stone beach, Bass rocks, Little Good Harbor beach, Salt Island, Long beach and Milk Island, each in succession presented a different aspect from what the landsman had been accustomed to observe when visiting those places.”

A sea “monster”

Two offerings from February and January 1870, appearing in the Cape Ann Advertiser:

“The great curiosity found by Mr. Barrett, at Brace’s Cove, is on exhibition at No. 108, Front street. It is pronounced something remarkable, and no one, as yet, can tell what it really is.”

Further investigation showed the earlier report:

A Great Curiosity. – Mr. Moses Barrett, of East Gloucester, recently found at low water mark, at Brace’s Cove, a most singular object, which resembles the head of some kind of marine monster. It is in form of an owl’s head, with large bony projections which look like ears. Its weight is about seventy-five pounds, and it bears evidence of having been in the water some years. Hundreds have visited it the present week, and all pronounce it a remarkable curiosity.”

Wow – was it a hoax or real? If real, here’s to hoping though that the poor sea creature was given some thought (by many) to being something more than just a curiosity or scientific specimen. (Cecil and Beanie was my favorite cartoon.)

Undivided back, used postcard. Postmarked May 3, 1906 from Gloucester, Massachusetts. Publisher: The Rotograph Co., New York. Printed in Germany.

Price: $7.00

Sources: Fitz Henry Lane. n.d. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitz_Henry_Lane. (accessed November 28, 2015).

“Ship News. Disasters &c”. American Traveler. Boston. Saturday, December 17, 1859. (Genealogybank.com)

“Marine Intelligence”. Salem Gazette. Tuesday, October 16, 1792. Shipping News, Vol. VI, Issue 314, p. 3. (Genealogybank.com)

“Isle of Shoals”. Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph. Saturday, July 22, 1865, p. 2. (Genealogybank.com)

“Off-hand Local Jottings”. Cape Ann Advertiser. Friday, February 4, 1870, p. 2. (Genealogybank.com)

“A Great Curiosity”. Cape Ann Advertiser. Friday, January 28, 1870, p. 2. (Genealogybank.com)

Five Kids, Boring, Oregon

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Annieoakley

A candid shot of five cute kids, bundled up for the October weather in about 1915: The photo for this postcard was probably taken in or near the town of Boring, Oregon, according to the postmark on the back. Though the postmarked year is partially missing, the most probable date is 1915 (with help from city directories.) The sender’s note may have been written by the children’s mother; if so, she is Esther, and seems to be a relative of Elsa Nilson, the addressee.

“Am wondering if cousin Eric arrived last week and how is he, am so anxious to see him also Aunt Mina[?] asked nearly every day if we haven’t hear from any of you. We are picking spuds now. Uncle will soon be through dring [drying]. Esther. With lots of Love from All to All.”

Addressed to: “Miss Elsa Nelson [Nilson], 901 – Montana Ave, Portland Ore.”

The 1915 city directory for Portland, Oregon is the key to finding family info on Elsa. It shows: Elsa M. Nilson, occupation stenographer. Anna E. Nilson, student at Reed College. Nils I Nilson, farmer, and wife Emma Nilson, living at 901 Montana Avenue.

The name Nilson is sometimes seen in online records for this family written as Nielson. Elsa M. A. Nilson and her younger sister Anna E. C. Nilson are the daughters of Swedish immigrants Nils I. Nilson and his wife Emma. At the time of the 1900, 1910 and 1920 Federal Census the family was living in Beaverton, about 10 miles southwest of Portland. Elsa would have been about 22 years old when she received the postcard from Esther. But who were the kids in the photo? A Wisconsin marriage record was found for an Nils Nilson and Emma Carlequist, dated 1891, which could be a match, since the 1900 census gives their marriage year at about 1890, but nothing was found linking the Carlequist name to Carl or Mina that are mentioned in the postcard (or sender, Esther.) Mina could be Mina Lilja, wife of Gustav H. Lilja; the couple was living in Boring in 1910….

Real Photo Postcard, Used with writing. Postmarked October, Circa 1915 from Boring, Oregon.

Price: $5.00

Sources: R. L. Polk & Co.’s Polk’s Portland City Directory, 1914. Vol. 51. p. 1067. (Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995)

R. L. Polk & Co.’s Polk’s Portland City Directory, 1915. Vol. 52. p. 893. (Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995)

“Wisconsin, Marriages, 1836-1930,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRG9-V4R : accessed 25 November 2015), Nils Nilson and Emma Carlequist, 12 Oct 1891; citing reference Vol 1, P 362, N 82; FHL microfilm 1,275,494.

Year: 1900; Census Place: Beaverton, Washington, Oregon; Roll: 1353; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0147; FHL microfilm: 1241353. (Ancestry.com)

Year: 1910; Census Place: Beaverton, Washington, Oregon; Roll: T624_1291; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0265; FHL microfilm: 1375304. (Ancestry.com)

Year: 1920; Census Place: Beaverton, Washington, Oregon; Roll: T625_1505; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 403; Image: 773. (Ancestry.com)

A Case Of Lock-Jaw

Posted on November 8, 2015 by Annieoakley

Undivided back, artist-signed, used postcard. Postmarked September 6, 1905 from West Hoboken, New Jersey. Artist: Antlers.

Price: $10.00

“Sept 6. I am afraid you will be in such a case some day. have you got over to homestead yet. I am going down to Uncle H’s today so write then. Herman.”

Addressed to: “Miss Mabel Wildrick, 30 Tonnelle ave, West Hoboken, N. J. % Geo Bartow.”

This postcard was sent to Mabel J. Wildrick, born June 1888, from her younger brother, Herman P. Wildrick, born October 1889, New Jersey born (both). From the 1900 Federal Census taken in Stillwater Township, NJ: They are with their parents, Jacob B. Wildrick, born June 1863 and Susan E. born August 1859, both in NJ. He is a foreman at a creamery. Also in the household is Arthur Linaberry, born October 1879 in New Jersey, who is the nephew to head of head of household, Jacob.

Find A Grave shows the entry for the Wildricks, and gives Susan E. Wildrick’s maiden name as Youmans. Arthur Linaberry turns out to be Susan (Youmans) Wildrick’s nephew, son of Phillip Linaberry and Martha D. Youmans. And George Bartow (the “care of” on the postcard) appears to be related on the Linaberry side, with Phillip Linaberry showing up on an Ancestry tree with the middle name of Bartow.

As for the artist, Antlers, his identity was not found. He did a whole comic series though, about mosquitoes, and those postcards, dated 1905 and 1906, are easily found at the moment for sale on eBay and other sites.

Lastly, Mabel’s younger brother Herman, that funny guy (!) was correct about his older sister. She did get herself into that “lock-jaw predicament” and got married to a gentleman named Orestes Hendershott. And we’re adding this post to our category of Unusual First Names.

Sources: Year: 1870; Census Place: Blairstown, Warren, New Jersey; Roll: M593_892; Page: 26B; Image: 56; Family History Library Film: 552391. (Ancestry.com)

Year: 1900; Census Place: Stillwater, Sussex, New Jersey; Roll: 995; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 0175; FHL microfilm: 1240995. (Ancestry.com)

“New Jersey Births and Christenings, 1660-1980,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FC2S-1L8 : accessed 8 November 2015), Phillip B Linabery in entry for Linabery, 23 Jul 1885; citing Warren, New Jersey, reference Vol. 21; FHL microfilm 494,203.

Find A Grave Memorial# 39988077. (Findagrave.com) Accessed November 8, 2015.

Find A Grave Memorial# 39988436. (Findagrave.com) Accessed November 8, 2015.

Bird’s Eye View, Utica, New York

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Annieoakley

This is the third of three in the small Cunha Family Collection (we may find more, you never know.) The sender has written in Portuguese to his friend, Mrs. John Cunha who is Mary (Azevedo) Cunha. The family name also appears as Da Cunha.

If anyone can translate the message, do please reply to this posting. The handwriting is a little difficult to read. It starts out, “Utica NY. September 3, 1908. My good friend…” and is addressed to:

“Mrs. J. Cunha, 115 Sumner St, Taunton, Mass.”

This postcard view is a pretty common one online, in black and white and the colorized version above. It shows up as early as 1906, and a later, somewhat different view, identifies the prominent street as Genesee. The sign on the building on the left “Warnes, Pianos” is advertising the establishment of William Warnes, who shows in city directories under the heading “Pianos and Organs” at the business address of 3 Gardner Block.

Divided back, used postcard. Postmarked September 4, 1908 from Utica, New York. Publisher: Utica Paper Co., Utica, N. Y. Made in Germany. Series or number 41596.

Price: $5.00

Source: Utica Business Directory, 1907. p. 782. (Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989.)

Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, Mass.

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Annieoakley

“New Bedford, Mass. One of New Bedford Quaint Streets. Johney Cake Hill, Corner Union and Bethel Streets.”

This is the second of three cards in The Cunha Family Collection. The sender wrote:

“My Dear Friend, I drop this post card so to let you know that you might see a friend Sunday, that you havn’t seen for some time. Yours Truly. M.S.”

Sent to: “Mrs. Mary Cunha, 115 Sumner St., Taunton, Mass.”

Behind the name

The definition of “bethel” is a holy place or a chapel for seamen. The street name Bethel is present-day Johnny Cake Hill; the address of 15 Johnny Cake Hill being home to the Seaman’s Chapel whose facade bears a plaque with a quote from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. (See below for an interesting 1928 newspaper article from the Emporia, Kansas’ Emporia Gazette.) A Wiki article on New Bedford tells us that the city’s nickname is “The Whaling City” because it was one of the most important whaling ports during the 19th century; also that the area that includes New Bedford, Greater Providence and Fall River is home to the largest Portuguese-American community in the U.S.

The Bethelen Cafe

Always intrigued by the small shops and restaurants that appear in these town views, we looked for the Bethelen Cafe that shows on the corner there, but didn’t find any specific mention of it in city directories, Google books, or historical newspapers currently online. Perhaps it was replaced by The New Bedford Whaling Museum? No, the well-known museum is up the street a ways. But check out the following page from Roger Chartier’s WhalingCity.net which shows a detailed history with several wonderful old photos of the corner of Union and Bethel, including one of the St. Helena restaurant. You’ll be able to take in the detail of the fountain in front of the restaurant – note that there is also a fountain in our postcard image but it’s a different one. Since our postcard was sent in 1909, an estimated time-frame for the card’s view would be that year or within several years prior. We might guess that the Bethelen was a brief successor to the St. Helena Restaurant, with the name Bethelen being a combination of Bethel and Helena.

1928 newspaper article re the Seaman’s Bethel (courtesy Newspapers.com).

Divided back, used postcard. Postmarked October 3, 1909 from New Bedford, Mass. Publisher: The Metropolitan News & Publishing Co., Boston, Mass. and Germany. No. G 15 121. Made in Germany.

Note: At the time of this posting, surprisingly, no other postcards of the same view are showing up online.

Price: $15.00

Sources: New Bedford, Massachusetts. n.d. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Bedford,_Massachusetts. (accessed October 25, 2015).

Chartier, Roger. “St. Helena Restaurant – Cafe…” WhalingCity.net. (Web accessed October 25, 2015.)

“Moby Dick” Mast In Tars’ Pulpit Must Be Torn Down. Emporia Gazette. 19 Jan 1928. Thur, p. 6. (Newspapers.com)

Stone Bridge Cottage, Tiverton, Rhode Island

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Annieoakley

Stone Bridge Cottage was a popular hotel and restaurant which later became known as Stone Bridge Inn. The Inn appears to have survived as an establishment at least until August or September of 1976, according to a newspaper ad for the Inn as a musical venue to include buffet lunch and champagne. The open, roofed porch that encircled the building would later have been enclosed. According to authors Nancy Jensen Devin and Richard V. Simpson, the building shown here in this 1909 postcard would have been the third structure, described as, “…a large, wood-shingled, two-and-a-half story hotel occupying a corner lot at the east end of what was once the Stone Bridge….The once-fashionable resort catered to vacationers and travelers for almost two centuries.”

The first in The Cunha Family Collection: This card was sent by Miguel S. Cunha, presumably a relative of the addressee. Two of the three are written in Portugese (and if anyone can translate them we’d surely appreciate it.) The translation is difficult due to the sender’s handwriting, and the possibility of misspelled words or even a change in spelling over the years. This one appears to be about someone named Mathes going (or who was going) to California with (or to see?) Miguel’s brothers, and something regarding a letter being sent to Miguel’s father? Also, someone named Jose Antonio is mentioned.

The card is addressed to: “Jose Silveira da Cunha, 115 Sumner St, Taunton, Mass.”

The likely fit for the addressee shows in Massachusetts Marriage Records, for Jose Silveira Da Cunha, born about 1878 in the Western Islands (of the Azores). Married on November 10, 1906 in Taunton to Maria S. Azevedo, born about 1880 in the Western Islands (of the Azores). The groom’s parents are Joao Silveira Bettencurte Cunha and Rosa Margarida Da Silveira, and the bride’s parents are Manuel Vieira Siceira and Mariana Azevedo. The next two postcards in this small family group are addressed to Mary Cunha and Mrs. J. Cunha at the same Sumner Street address.

Divided back, used postcard. Postmarked October 6, 1909 from Newport, Rhode Island. Publisher: The Metropolitan News Co., Boston, Mass. and Germany. No. 9259 (44078).

Price: $5.00

Sources: “The Stone Bridge Music Festival.” The Berkshire Eagle, 27 Aug 1977, p. 64. (Newspapers.com)

Jensen, Nancy and Richard V. Simpson. Images of America: Tiverton and Little Compton. Charleston: Arcardia Publishing, 1977. (Google eBook.)

Massachusetts Vital Records, 1840–1911. New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts. (Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Marriage Records, 1840-1915.)

Mrs. Antoinette Skelton’s Dining Room

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Annieoakley

“Dear Mrs. Brown – May I have the pleasure of your and your daughter’s (both) company to 1 o’clock luncheon on Wednesday, May 27th? Come as early as you can. Sincerely, Antoinette Skelton, 497 S. El Molino Av. Pasadena. May 22 – 08.”

Addressed to: “Mrs. T. W. Brown, 2659 Romeo Str., Los Angeles, Cal.”

What a nice way to send a luncheon invitation – via a Real Photo Postcard of the dining area of the hostess. This home, alas, is no longer in existence: it’s address – 497 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, is now an apartment complex. Antoinette Skelton appears to have been Mrs. Antoinette H. Skelton, widow of L. L. Skelton according to city directory listings. Mrs. T. W. Brown is Mrs. Ophelia Brown, of 2659 Romeo St., Los Angeles, widow of Thomas W. Brown. The 1910 Federal Census for Los Angeles shows Ophelia and her two daughters, Rolla A. and Ruth W. Forward (Ruth later shows under the last name of Brown.)

As to the dining room, probably most or all of the items, (furniture, paintings, the room screen, clock etc.) could be identified for style and period by experts in their respective fields of antiques….but without getting technical it’s been fun to look at the room in detail and ponder….who’s likenesses appear in the paintings above the mantel (these gentlemen look familiar), what is that message in the framed embroidery?, what type of chandelier would hold a place for houseplants (was this just a temporary decorating flourish by the hostess or was the chandelier designed this way?) who were the small framed photos of (on the mantel) and how about that whimsical pottery-type face that hangs on the wall, and the mantel and faux? fireplace itself with the unusual indentation for small decorative objects….

Divided back, used, Real Photo Postcard. Postmarked May 22, 1908 from Pasadena, California.

Price: $20.00

Sources: Los Angeles Directory Co’s Thurston’s Residence and Business Directory of Pasadena, 1915 – 1916. p. 369. (Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989.)

Los Angeles City Directory Co’s Los Angeles City Directory, 1909. p. 213. (Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989.)

Year: 1910; Census Place: Los Angeles Assembly District 70, Los Angeles, California; Roll: T624_80; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 0221; FHL microfilm: 1374093.

Aunt Ida’s Son

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Annieoakley

In 1909, when this postcard was sent, little boys were still wearing dresses, so this photo would not seem at all unusual back then. Dresses for infants and toddlers were gender neutral and white clothing, and of course diapers, were able to be bleached. The sweater he wears perhaps made the dress stick out more than it normally did. And we’re just going by what the back says for i.d. – someone later on had written in pen, “Aunt Ida’s Son.” But it’s a beautiful photo of a happy baby on the porch steps. His name is unknown, as confirmation was not found on the addressee, nor for Ida’s last name. The postcard was mailed from Stockbridge, Wisconsin, which is about sixty miles south of Oconto Falls, and the sender writes:

“Talk about being surprised. I certainly was, accept congratulations. It’s a wonder you wouldn’t say something. Will be up home some time next week. How do you like this card. Well so long love to all. Ida.”

Addressed to:

“Mr. & Mrs. L. Hanly[?] Oconto Falls, Oconto Co., Wis.”

Divided back, used, Real Photo Postcard. Postmarked 1909 (exact date unreadable) from Stockbridge, Wisconsin.

Price: $5.00

Laurel Cottage Genealogy

Genealogy Services, Old Photos, Postcards, Trade Cards, Etc.

Category Archives: Postcards Used

To Lena From Laura

May You Always Know

Brace’s Rock, Cape Ann, Mass.

Five Kids, Boring, Oregon

A Case Of Lock-Jaw

Bird’s Eye View, Utica, New York

Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, Mass.

Stone Bridge Cottage, Tiverton, Rhode Island

Mrs. Antoinette Skelton’s Dining Room

Aunt Ida’s Son